Study of Medical Intern's Knowledge Level About Children's Oral Health Between 2011 and 2012 in Medical Universities in Tehran, Iran

There are several oral problems in pediatrics relating to normal general health. The most common problems are tooth decay and periodontal disease.. This study was conducted to evaluate medical interns’ knowledge about oral/dental problems in educational hospitals affiliated to the medical universities in Tehran.. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, conducted between 2011 and 2012, 391 educational hospital interns from medical universities of Tehran, Shahid Beheshti, Iran, and Islamic Azad were included. The data, collected via questionnaires, were analyzed through descriptive statistics and central index tests.. In this study, the average age of the interns was 25.18 (standard deviation (SD) = 1.25 years). Males accounted for 44.2% of the study population, and the rest were female. The average score of the interns’ knowledge level was 4.87 from a maximum of 15 (SD = 1.73). Age, sex, and duration of education did not have any effect on the level of knowledge.. According to this study, it seems that the educational hospital interns do not have enough essential information and knowledge about pediatric oral/dental health. Therefore, it is recommended to incorporate new learning programs about pediatric oral/dental health in their curricula..